By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    health benefits of taking a vacation to reduce stress
    Relaxing European Destinations to Reduce Stress Risks to Health
    October 11, 2021
    pain management tips
    Managing Pain Differently: Alternative Pain Management Techniques
    January 12, 2022
    5 Ways to Promote Wellness in Your Home
    April 12, 2022
    Latest News
    First Aid Training Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
    September 25, 2023
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    5 Self-Care Habits to Help You Live an A+ Life
    September 21, 2023
    Keep Employees Safe & Healthy By Reducing Warehouse Injuries
    September 20, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    What the Election Means for Health Care
    November 9, 2012
    public private partnerships
    Strengthening Global Healthcare Systems Through Public-Private Partnerships
    April 8, 2015
    jeopardy clue tile
    Jeopardy: “I’ll Take Medical Errors For $100,000, Alex!”
    December 25, 2012
    Latest News
    Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits
    September 12, 2023
    Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels
    September 12, 2023
    How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations
    September 6, 2023
    The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals
    September 6, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
Policy & LawSocial Media

How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!

practicebuilders1
Last updated: 2017/09/20 at 10:47 PM
practicebuilders1
Share
4 Min Read
How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
SHARE

No business can afford to go without a social media presence in today’s competitive market, and your healthcare practice is no exception. But unlike the local movie theater or candy store, your healthcare practice has a big hurdle to jump when using this powerful marketing tool: HIPAA compliance.

What is HIPAA, and what does it have to do with social media?

Title II of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, focuses especially on the privacy of patients’ protected health information. Most importantly, it establishes civil and criminal penalties for disclosing that information. “Civil and criminal penalties” is not a phrase you usually associate with social media, the home of funny cat videos and political arguments with your uncle. But any words or pictures you post that might identify a patient could set you up for a big hit to your finances and reputation. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can be HIPAA-compliant and create vibrant social media marketing that grows your business:

  • 1. Don’t cross the streams. Before you do anything else, separate your personal social media profiles from your professional profiles. Adjust your personal privacy settings so that only friends can see your posts. Only friend your patients on your professional pages. Clear boundaries make for easier compliance.
  • 2. Don’t talk about patients. Of course, you shouldn’t post that “Steve Q. presented with a thyroid disorder.” But you also shouldn’t post “A 46-year-old man presented with a thyroid disorder,” or even “A patient presented with a thyroid disorder.” Talk about the disorder itself, in general terms: What is it, what causes it, and how do you treat it?
  • 3. The waiting-room rule. If you wouldn’t say it out loud in your waiting room, don’t post it on social media. Our brains didn’t evolve with the Internet in mind, so we sometimes write things online that we’d never say in real life.
  • 4. Train, train again. Make sure that you communicate clear social media standards to every last employee – exactly what they can and cannot post on their personal and professional social media pages. This goes double for the people who administer your social media accounts; they should have both good social media marketing practices and HIPAA issues down cold.
  • 5. Social media is social. Remember that it’s called social media because other people are involved. That means you may have to watch out for your patients posting words or pictures on your pages that inadvertently identify other patients. If you find such a post, immediately contact the poster and gently explain the legal issues involved.

With these simple strategies, you can reap the huge benefits of social media marketing while remaining in compliance with HIPAA. You, your business and your patients will all be better-served! For more information on social media marketing for doctors please contact Practice Builders (800)679-1200.

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
practicebuilders1 August 17, 2016
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Healthcare Careers With Real Potential
Next Article Will the Next President Bring Multi-Payer Healthcare to the U.S.?

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

workplace first aid training
First Aid Training Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
Health September 25, 2023
Anxiety Disorder
The Importance of Nutrition in Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Anxiety September 24, 2023
spinal health
How to Advocate For Your Spinal Health In A Healthcare Setting: Strategies From Dr. Brandon Claflin
News September 24, 2023
Medical Surveys
Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
Health September 23, 2023

You Might also Like

health insurance disability
Policy & Law

Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits

September 12, 2023
rising drug costs
Pharmaceuticals

Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels

September 8, 2023
healthcare providers
Hospital Administration

How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations

September 6, 2023
Medical Professionals exams
Medicare

The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals

September 6, 2023
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US
© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?